What is Pancreatic Cancer?
It is a condition in which cells grow out of control in the pancreas, forming lumps called tumors which may either be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). There are about 66,000 cases of pancreatic cancer diagnosed in the US every year, and about 51,000 people die from this disease annually. It’s a fatal cancer that accounts for about 7% of all cancer deaths. An average of 1 in 56 men and about 1 in 60 for women have a lifetime risk of getting this disease.
Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer:
- Jaundice
- Dark urine
- Light-colored or greasy stools
- Itchy skin
- Abdominal pain
- Back pain
- Unexplained weight loss and poor appetite
- Liver and gallbladder enlargement
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blood clots
- Diabetes
These symptoms do not usually pop up until the cancer has already spread, making early detection difficult. However certain genetic mutations in the BRCA1, PALB2, and other genes can increase the risk of getting pancreatic cancer. If any of these run in your family, inform your doctor immediately so you can avail of the genetic tests, imaging tests, and biopsies available for diagnosing pancreatic cancer.
Treatments for Pancreatic Cancer:
- Surgery
- Radiation Therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted Drug Therapy
- Immunotherapy
One study found that this cancer has as much as a 31% misdiagnosis rate, which adds up to a 3-month delay from the first visit to the actual diagnosis. Early diagnosis is critical because this cancer has abysmally low survival rates once it spreads outside the pancreas.
The American Cancer Society uses the SEER database to estimate the relative 5-year survival rates for this disease and classifies it according to localized, regional, and distant stages. At the localized stage, where the cancer is still in the pancreas, survival rates are estimated at 44%. But it drops to only 16% at the regional stage when the cancer spreads to nearby lymph nodes and other structures nearby. At the distant stage, where the pancreatic cancer has spread to other organs, there is only a 3% survival rate.
What Can I Do if I was Misdiagnosed or Diagnosed Late with Pancreatic Cancer in New York?
Seek a medical malpractice attorney for legal advice if you’ve been misdiagnosed or diagnosed late. Early detection is important because once the cancer spreads outside the pancreas, the survival rate drops from 44% to only 16%. While it is difficult to find early, high-risk patients due to certain inherited conditions should undergo regular monitoring through the available tests. If you or a loved one have been the victim of a misdiagnosis or a late diagnosis for pancreatic cancer in the State of New York, call the Porter Law Group for a free case evaluation.
The Lawyers at Porter Law Group have secured millions of dollars* for patients whose cancer was diagnosed late in the State of New York. We work with board-certified medical experts who can examine your case and testify on your behalf that your cancer should have been caught sooner. Our experienced medical malpractice lawyers stand ready to bring your case forward, and get you and your family the answers, and compensation you deserve.
Can I Sue for Medical Malpractice if I was Diagnosed Late with Pancreatic Cancer in New York?
Patients may be eligible to sue medical staff if their pancreatic cancer is diagnosed late. However, it is not enough to show that you’ve been injured to claim financial compensation for medical malpractice. Not all cases of late diagnosis are medical negligence. You must be able to show that there was a doctor-patient relationship, that there was a deviation from the expected standard of care for people with similar symptoms. And that the deviation was the proximate cause of your injury.
Medical negligence cases are complex, especially in the State of New York. Not only do you need to navigate the daunting documentary and filing requirements and be aware of the statute of limitations to file your claim, but you also need an expert medical practitioner to testify for you. We at Porter Law Group work with experts in the medical field who can reliably evaluate if your cancer should have been diagnosed sooner. Our experienced medical malpractice lawyers have a proven track record of successful litigation that has resulted in aggrieved clients receiving compensation for their doctor’s medical negligence.
Contact us at 833-PORTER9, or e-mail us at info@porterlawteam.com to discuss the details of our experience representing other clients and the results we were able to obtain in the past for clients who also suffered from cancer. In many ways, our results speak for themselves, and we will stand ready to help you and your family in your time of greatest need.
